Madam Sun was moved by Song Wan’s words, though she still had concerns and maintained a reserved manner in their conversation. Song Wan also knew that marriage matters couldn’t be settled in just a day or two, so she made a few more points before changing the subject. She then spent some time discussing needlework and musical skills with Miss Sun before bidding farewell to them both.

Seeing that she was about to leave, Jiang Yan departed ahead of her, leaving only Xiao Jiye in the chamber.

Today, some family’s women didn’t understand propriety and had their carriage blocking the path at the foot of the mountain. The marquis residence’s carriage was stuck for quite some time. The heat made Song Wan partially lift a corner of the curtain for some air.

She was calculating matters regarding the Sun family’s marriage when she noticed someone in the shadows behind Zhitong Temple staring at her with burning eyes.

The man stood in the shade. Though his features weren’t clear, she could tell his physique was extremely tall and imposing. Through the dappled light and shadow of the trees, a pair of profound black eyes like polished lacquer were barely visible.

After just a moment of eye contact, Song Wan frowned.

That gaze was too searing. The scrutiny and sharpness contained within made her uncomfortable. She furrowed her delicate brows and lowered the carriage curtain.

Xiao Jiye’s eyes revealed amusement as he smiled freely.

After Song Wan lowered the curtain, she said to Heng Zhi beside her, “The weather is getting increasingly hot. The household carriages still use brocade curtains, which is stifling. Have the household replace them with soft gauze later. That way, when the various branch masters go out, they won’t suffer as I have today.”

Hearing this, Heng Wu immediately increased her efforts in waving the round fan in her hand.

When the master and servants returned to the marquis residence, they were preparing to go to Fuhe Hall to report today’s events to Old Madam when they saw Jiang Yan coming out from inside. Seeing him, Song Wan spoke, “What fortuitous timing. I’ve just returned to the residence.”

Jiang Yan inquired warmly, “Where did sister-in-law go?”

“I selected several households some days ago. Today I visited the wife and daughter of Grand Secretary Sun from the Eastern Pavilion. Miss Sun has a gentle temperament and has learned propriety exceptionally well. I think she would be quite suitable for you.”

Jiang Yan lowered his eyes. “Sister-in-law’s judgment is keen. The person you’ve chosen certainly won’t be wrong.”

Song Wan smiled lightly. “Don’t look down on the Sun family for their somewhat lower status, but…”

“How could I not understand sister-in-law’s thoughtful intentions? The Sun family serves as close ministers to His Majesty. Though Sun Zhengchun’s position is currently humble and his power weak, this is only temporary. They’re more than a hundred times better than the Qi residence, which has declined over generations and only retains the status of nobility.”

Jiang Yan’s eyes were deep and profound as he said in a low voice, “Concubine Liu’s vision is shallow. Sister-in-law shouldn’t concern yourself with her.”

Hearing this, Song Wan’s expression showed slight relief, making Jiang Yan’s heart tighten.

“Your younger brother trusts sister-in-law completely. In the future, Jiang Xing’s marriage will also need to trouble sister-in-law to arrange.”

“What trouble is there among family? Your marriages proceeding smoothly and your conjugal harmony are what matter.”

Jiang Yan’s tone was soft. “What sister-in-law hopes for will certainly come to pass.”

These words sounded somewhat strange. Song Wan vaguely felt something was amiss and could only smile and excuse herself to Fuhe Hall.

Jiang Yan stood behind her, thinking instead of Xiao Jiye’s words about “hanging herself with a white silk cord.”

His brow furrowed and his heart suddenly ached.

Song Wan was unaware of Jiang Yan’s thoughts, so she set the matter aside.

Upon arriving at Fuhe Hall, she briefly explained the Sun family’s attitude to Old Madam Jiang. The old lady also valued how the Sun family held real power and could be an asset to Jiang Xingjian in the future, so she said with a smile that Song Wan was excellent material for managing a household.

After exchanging a few words with Old Madam, Song Wan returned to Lanting Courtyard.

Ordinarily she rarely went out. After six years without dealing with people, suddenly socializing made her feel doubly exhausted.

“This servant will go notify Xiang Cao to prepare hot water so the young mistress can have a good soak to relieve her fatigue.”

Song Wan nodded. Just as she was about to tell Heng Zhi to select a bottle of magnolia flower dew to go with it, she heard loud arguing coming from Xiuyan Pavilion. She frowned slightly, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

“Young mistress…”

“Return to the main courtyard.”

For some unknown reason, ever since Lin Jiayue had declared so confidently yesterday that she would obtain a divorce, Song Wan had lost patience with pondering the tangled, distressing mess that was her relationship with Jiang Xingjian.

“Tell me, is it true or false that noble families never have divorced women?”

The maids and old servants of Xiuyan Pavilion saw Song Wan walking past outside the door and shrank back in fear one by one. Especially upon hearing the word “divorce,” they didn’t dare breathe heavily, afraid of displeasing Song Wan.

After all, the First Madam managed the household. These servants still had to conduct themselves according to her expressions. Therefore, one by one they dared neither speak out to stop it nor chime in agreement, all standing there like wooden posts that could only breathe.

Lin Jiayue’s commotion was giving Jiang Xingjian a splitting headache.

“Jiang Xingjian, you’re lying to me, aren’t you? Everything you said is false, isn’t it?”

Jiang Xingjian pressed his temples, his mind in turmoil.

“You say nothing at all, only making me guess on my own. But what could I possibly guess?”

Lin Jiayue’s eyes were red from crying. “You allowed me to fall in love with you. You allowed me to follow you to the capital. You allowed Song Wan to bully me. Without ever asking whether I was willing, you’ve assigned me the status of a lowly concubine…”

“Jiang Xingjian, do you even have a heart?”

“I’m an orphaned girl. And you? You were born into nobility with status and position. In the marquis residence, you have a grandmother, a mother, and even a wife from a prestigious family.”

“But me? I only have you. I can only rely on you. But what have you done?”

“You let Song Wan bully me. Not only do you not help me, you even deceive me together with her? Why didn’t you tell me that divorce between you and Song Wan is utterly impossible?”

“When have I ever deceived you?”

“Yes, you never deceived me. You just concealed the truth and let me speculate and imagine on my own. All you did was nothing—you’re so noble, so innocent. The only fool is me!”

Lin Jiayue cried until her voice was hoarse, with anger at the injustice of the world, resentment toward Jiang Xingjian, and a trace of unwillingness she didn’t want to admit.

Jiang Xingjian only frowned as he watched, not knowing how to explain.

When he was with Song Wan, he never needed to dissect and clarify everything he said or thought. But Lin Jiayue—she could neither see the situation clearly nor understand his painstaking efforts. All her thoughts were focused on romantic sentiments, which left him feeling bewildered.

After much thought, Jiang Xingjian said, “I originally didn’t want to tell you these things, but to prevent you from continuing to be entangled in these disputes in the future, I’ll explain it clearly to you today.”

Briefly mentioning the origins and conflicts between the Third and Fifth Princes and the Jiang and Song families, Jiang Xingjian said, “The Jiang and Song families will inevitably have casualties in the future. Regardless of which faction wins between the Third and Fifth Princes, Song Wan and I…”

Jiang Xingjian’s heart ached. “Are absolutely impossible.”

Lin Jiayue hadn’t noticed his expression. Instead, her brow showed hints of excitement.

“The marquis residence is going to participate in the succession struggle? I see now.”

Lin Jiayue wiped the tears from her face, her eyes full of ambition. “As long as the marquis residence wins, Song Wan can fall together with the Song residence…”

“Brother Xingjian.”

Lin Jiayue smiled charmingly. “I understand everything you’ve said. Rest assured, I’ll help you.”